This essay is by Sean Stacey and details an area of New Mexico. If you have any questions or comments about this write-up, feel free to contact Sean directly.

Hello all! I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since it was blasted by a single SS-N-17 I felt that for the most part it would be nearly destroyed by the probable air burst over Kirtland Air Force Base, I chose to write about the small town I lived in during the early 80’s.

Please forgive my disorganized layout.

Sean

Los Lunas, New Mexico.

Los Lunas is the second largest city in Valencia County, while Belen is the largest and the county seat. Situated in the Middle Rio Grande River valley, Los Lunas is 36 miles south of Albuquerque, and 16 miles north of Belen. Los Lunas is populated at 17,316 people at Project cannon time. Current population is estimated at 36,823 people. The local police department has 23 officers, including a chief of police, his deputy, and 8 detectives. The fire department has four vehicles; 1 pumper truck, 1 rescue squad, 1 ladder truck, and 1 4WD pick-up. Los Lunas has one high school, two middle schools, and four elementary schools. There are many private schools, catering to religion, or other agendas. Los Lunas is also home to University of New Mexico’s Valencia Branch Campus (UNM/VC), and the New Mexico State University Agricultural Extension Research facility. The Valencia Campus is a typical 2-year community college. The NMSU extension specializes in agricultural experimentation, as well as ornithology (avian biology). The outlying areas of Los Lunas have been developed into three major subdivisions. In 1980, Los Lunas was also home to the county hospital. Currently, the hospital is shut down, and has been so for almost 12 years. At its golden age the hospital boasted 25 beds, a fully staffed emergency room, and a limited surgical facility. Now patients must travel north to Albuquerque for medical attention.

The first, and oldest is Meadow Lake. In the early 80’s Meadow Lake was a quiet, ritzy rural community boasting a massive 1,700 people. Currently it is referred by it’s residents, as ‘Ghetto Lake", and provides the majority of its current population at nearly 13,000 people. Meadow Lake boasts the home of one of the elementary schools, and one volunteer fire department. Valencia County Sheriff’s Department provides patrols for the large spread out area that is Meadow Lake.

The next subdivision, El Cerro Mission, was populated at nearly 800 people in 1980, and currently is populated by almost 4,000 people. El Cerro Mission is lovingly referred as the "Arm-pit of Valencia County". It mostly consists of shanty style shacks built-up from old mobile homes. This area is densely populated by illegal immigrants. Illegal activities are rampant in this area, it is common to have multiple cock /dog/pit fights each day or night. There has been numerous meth lab busts, and due to the sparsely populated county a few survivalists have popped up on the map as well. El Cerro Mission is an area that the county patrols in force, and as a general rule patrols consist of two to four units, with two officers each. The county has adopted a ‘Wild West’ attitude with this subdivision.

The last major subdivision is the Las Maravillas area. The newest subdivision is almost 9 years old. This area is home to a very wealthy cluster of families, and is populated by almost 400 families in a gated and guarded community. This subdivision is also adjacent to an elementary and middle school, and the UNM/VC campus. Not much is truly known of this community. The residents are private, even isolationist in attitude, yet some rumors exist of a survivalist movement within their walls. A small private ‘police’ force guards the entire community, consisting of an unknown manpower level. This ‘police’ force is a security firm with officers who have attended the law enforcement academy. It is believed that the community will attempt to annex themselves within the next couple years.

Agriculture:

Valencia County boasts a wide variety of agricultural products. The primary product is alfalfa, while chile, corn, soybeans, and wheat rank pretty high as well.

Livestock:

Valencia County has two major dairies, Yoder Farms, and the Krassnitzer Dairy. In the outlying county areas, there are numerous small ranches, producing cattle, sheep, emus and horses.

Technology:

Valencia County is considered to be below average. There are no major tech centers, and two limited higher education institutions.

Society:

The Population is mostly Catholic, yet there is a smattering of Baptists, Seven Day Adventists, and one Mennonite Church as well.

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